“Iranian Director Mohammad Rasoulof ‘Chose Exile’ in Europe Following Prison Sentence,” Vulture, 5-13-24.
India is not as much a facilitator (i.e., China, Russia, Malaysia) as it is looking at for its own self-interest. “India to sign pact with Iran to manage Chabahar Port for 10 years today: Report,” Business Today, 5-13-24.
“Iran’s Overworked Nurses Face Exhaustion and Even Death,” Iran Wire, 5-13-24.
“The Attack on Iran’s IRGC Leaders in Damascus and the Iranian Attack on Israel: An Iranian View,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, 5-12-24.
It is hard to believe the reports out of Washington on 5-12, that the U.S. will withhold intelligence if Israel invades broadly in Rafah. Already Pres. Biden and Sec. Blinken and NSA Sullivan are indefinitely holding smart bombs from being send to Israel to be used against the Iran-backed Hamas. What is instead accurate is what Sen. Tom Cotton, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, says regarding the State Department report “was very clear: there is no evidence that Israel is violating international law.” [speaking of whether Israel is using U.S. weapons against civilians]. He said Israel “is doing more than any military in history to prevent civilian casualties.” See “Blinken: Israel offensive on Rafah would not eliminate Hamas,” AFP, 5-12-24. That the Administration does not understand how the 1,200 killed in only half a day by Hamas compares with the 35,000 killed (about half of them Hamas) over seven months is also worth noting in light of Cotton’s broadly-accepted views.
The Biden administration reportedly also says it can give information on locations of secret tunnels in Gaza used by Hamas as an incentive to Israel not to enter Gaza’s southernmost city. What? And the Administration is said offering intel on Hamas leaders’ whereabouts if Israel drops its planned major Rafah op. What? Israel can’t respond to Hamas and Iran this way, nor would any other country. See “US said offering intel on Hamas leaders’ whereabouts if Israel drops major Rafah op,” Times of Israel, 5-12-24.
“How the Islamic revolution isolated Iran from the Muslim world,” India Times, 5-11-24.
“Islamic hardliners cement grip over Iran’s parliament after election runoff,” i24, 5-11-24. “The result, tallied with that of the previous vote in March, gives hardliners 233 of the 290 seats in Iran’s parliament; moderates and reformists were for the most part barred from running.”
“Canada’s Spy Agency Warns of Escalating Iranian Aggression in West,” Iran International, 5-10-24.
“5 Indian sailors released from Israeli-linked vessel seized by Iran,” India Today, 5-10-24.
“Coldplay and Sting call for release of Toomaj Salehi, Iranian rapper sentenced to death,” Guardian, 5-10-24.
Facilitating, can lead to dangerous relations and crime. Ship-to-Ship transfers occur in Malaysian waters. “Malaysia Will Not Recognize Unilateral Sanctions on Iran, Official Says,” The Diplomat, 5-10-24.
“Iran Deploys Drones, Surveillance to Enforce Hijab Rules,” Iran Wire, 5-10-24.
If you read one thing that explains how the Regime operates and why you can’t ultimately trust this government, here is the story that I’ve spoken of over time. The short version is that Iran says the Ayatollah has made a fatwa on this topic, but they never produce the fatwa. “The nuclear fatwa that wasn’t—how Iran sold the world a false narrative,” Iran Source, Atlantic Council, 5-9-24.
“Iran has launched a new crackdown on women defying its strict dress code,” NBC, 5-9-24.
“As Iran Scares the Middle East, At Home Its Regime Rots,” Economist, 5-9-24.
“FBI warns of efforts by China, Russia, Iran to influence election,” The Hill, 5-9-24.
“Iran says it will change nuclear doctrine and build bombs if existence threatened,” Times of Israel, 5-9-24. “Top Khamenei adviser Kamal Kharrazi says country will have ‘no choice’ in those circumstances, warns deterrence policy will change if Israel strikes nuclear facilities.”
“US Treasury official: Ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil in Malaysian waters pose safety risk [UPDATED],” Straits Times, 5-9-24.
“Restore Iran’s marshes to prevent dust storms,” Science, 5-9-24.
“MPs vote unanimously in support of designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group,” 5-8-24.
“US Lawmakers Worry IRGC Accessed Classified Documents Through Malley,” Iran International, 5-8-24.
“France Denounces ‘State Hostage-Taking’ by Iran,” Iran International, 5-8-24.
“Iran Sentences Renowned Filmmaker To Flogging, Prison Sentence,” RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, 5-8-24.
“Iran’s dangerous new terror proxy: Sudan,” JNS, 5-7-24. “The Islamic Republic’s encirclement of Israel and control of the Red Sea are almost complete.”
“IAEA head decries ‘completely unsatisfactory’ cooperation after visit to Iran,” Times of Israel, 5-7-24. “Rafael Grossi says there is a ‘slowdown’ in implementation of deal between his nuclear watchdog and the Islamic Republic. … Iran has always denied any ambition to develop nuclear weapons capability, insisting its activities are entirely peaceful.”
“Iran’s capacity to move oil reliant on Malaysian providers, US official says,” Straits Times, 5-7-24.
“IAEA Still Discussing Implementation of Failed 2023 Agreement With Iran,” Iran International, 5-7-24.
“Iran Remains Second Largest Jailer of Writers Worldwide,” Iran International, 5-4-24.
“Iranian IRGC Warship Crosses Equator For First Time,” RFE/RL, 5-4-24.
“Iran announces sanctions on United States, United Kingdom,” Mehr, 5-2-24. For alleged support of terrorism and violation of human rights in the Gaza War.
“Iran charges journalists after BBC report on teen protester’s death,” BBC, 5-2-24.
